Celebrating World Quantum Day at the Colorado Capitol
Dignitaries from CU Boulder joined the Colorado General Assembly at the State Capitol on Monday, April 14, to celebrate World Quantum Day. Pictured here, Chancellor Justin Schwartz and Massimo Ruzzene, senior vice chancellor for research and innovation and dean of the institutes, speak to Colorado State Senator Mark Baisley.
, which was launched in 2021 by a group of international scientists, is a global event celebrating quantum physics—and how insights into the universe at its smallest scales have transformed the lives of humans around the globe. This year’s events take on a special meaning as UNESCO has declared 2025 the .
To mark the occasion, a was read on the House and Senate floors of the General Assembly. CU Boulder was recognized for its contribution to the quantum industry.
“The collaborative efforts of higher education institutions, industry, and government agencies have played a pivotal role in nurturing Colorado's quantum technology ecosystem, fostering an environment conducive to research advancements, technology deployment to improve quality of life, and economic prosperity for Colorado and our global community,” the proclamation states.
Today, Colorado’s quantum industry employs about 3,000 people, and the state estimates that the number could grow to 10,000 within the next decade. In 2023, the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) named Elevate Quantum, a coalition of 120 organizations in the Mountain West, as an official tech hub for quantum technology. CU Boulder is a prime contributor to Elevate Quantum, which has secured more than $120 million to fuel the quantum industry in the region.
To begin the International Year of Quantum Science and Technology in January, CU Boulder—alongside Colorado State University, the Colorado School of Mines and Elevate Quantum—announced the launch of a new quantum incubator in Boulder.